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How do I check whether a song is in the SOCAN repertoire?

Use SOCAN's public repertoire search to look for the musical work. Search by title, music creator, publisher, performer, SOCAN work number or ISWC in the official SOCAN public repertoire.

How to search the SOCAN public repertoire

  1. Open the official SOCAN public repertoire search.
  2. Search the song title, then try the writer, composer, publisher or performer if the first search is not clear.
  3. Use the SOCAN work number or ISWC when you have one.
  4. Compare the title, creators, publishers and identifiers in the result with the recording you intend to use.
  5. Save the result and ask SOCAN to confirm it when the answer affects a licence, invoice or dispute.

Searching more than one field matters because titles can be shared by different works and one work can have several creators or publishers. A recording artist name alone may not identify the musical work accurately.

What a SOCAN search result proves

Treat the result as an information tool, not legal proof. SOCAN says its public repertoire can lag behind registrations and that a work missing from the search does not necessarily mean SOCAN does not represent it. If a result is missing, incomplete or disputed, contact SOCAN and keep the title, creators, recording artist and any identifier ready.

The SOCAN repertoire search concerns the musical work. It does not automatically clear the sound recording, a copy of the recording, music in a video or every other right needed for a particular use.

If you only use MelloJam

According to MelloJam's current plan terms, a business that plays only MelloJam music through the MelloJam player is not using music from the SOCAN repertoire covered by SOCAN's licensing route. The MelloJam plan covers MelloJam's original catalogue and the commercial playback rights MelloJam controls for that playback under those terms.

This statement is limited to the MelloJam playback. A non-waivable government, statutory or collecting-society charge can still apply if applicable local law imposes it directly on the venue. Radio, television, Spotify, other recordings, live music, DJs, events, copying or online use require a separate rights check.

Official source

Use the SOCAN public repertoire search for the current search tool. This page is general information, not legal advice, and SOCAN controls the interpretation of its repertoire and licensing information.

Back to all SOCAN licensing questions.